It’s a story as old as time when an ancient immortal falls in love with a human. Except this time, there’s a hitch: our “hero” is a vampire and he’s fallen in love with a vegan. Let us count all the ways this could go wrong…
We begin our tale in Napa, California. Land of sun, wine and relaxation. The perfect setting for our romantic disaster.
Sebastian Nod is elegance and control personified. He may be the bearer of a biblical curse and a monster but he refuses to act like one. Sebastian finds himself tempted in fresh and torturous ways after he agrees to help a gorgeous young chef but he’s determined to guard his heart. He’s been around long enough to have learned that a romance between a vampire and a human can only end in heartbreak. All Sebastian has to do is pretend that he’s a vegan and keep his hands and lips off his new personal chef.
And that brings us to Jasper Abel. Bright, young and talented, he’s fled an abusive boyfriend in L.A. for a dream job in Napa. Unfortunately, things go wrong as soon as he arrives and Jasper is forced to accept help from the beguiling and mysterious Mr. Nod. Jasper is determined to be the master of his own fate, but fate has a very wicked sense of humor. He quickly realizes that something is very off about Sebastian Nod, but Jasper can’t help himself, the man is as deliciously tempting as he is befuddling.
It’s a dangerous and intoxicating concoction of coconut water, yoga, vegetable-based deception, a cruel curse and just a sprinkle of capricious fate.
*This is a "happy for now" romance. Crave is the first book in the Curse of Cain series and just the beginning of Sebastian and Jasper's love story.*
The first time Sebastian and Jasper met, they felt the attraction but Sebastian couldn’t let himself lose control with Jasper. He thought he couldn’t give Jasper the happiness and the future he deserved. He thought if Jasper found out about the truth he won’t like him anymore…
Told in dual POV, 3rd person. This is going to be a series and this is its first installment. It doesn’t end on a huge cliffhanger (but the way it ended it made me think that what Sebastian thought became the reality and it scares me a bit because of the curse). It’s more a sweet story and almost angst-free (but the author did say it’s going to take a very dark and exciting turn! Can’t wait!), an easy read and good written. Overall, I had a good time reading this and hope you enjoy it as well!
Thanks so much, dear Lorraine for recommending this beauty!
Good start to what is set to be a promising series.I haven't come across this Author before and if this is her debut novel I'm pretty impressed.
Take one extremely hot and just a little bit grumpy vampire (Sebastian),
An aspiring vegan chef (Jasper) with a sweet innocence about him,
AND
She might be the token best friend but Darcy(another vampire) was just a brilliant character and along with Sebastian she stole the show here.
Sebastian might just be one of my favourite vampire characters.Not a stereotypical vampire in every respect....there were things he was able to do which vampires wouldn't normally be able to which I did question but as the book progressed this was explained.And his desperate avoidance of trying to sample Jasper's vegan recipes was just hilarious at times.
The 'romance' between Sebastian and Jasper did progress fairly quickly but it kind of worked and the ending was brilliant,totally not what I was expecting at all.My only negative was that I didn't really connect to Jasper much but hopefully his character will become more developed in the next instalment.
Overall,I enjoyed this and am really interested in the continuation of this story.
I like how different and unique the world building and the backstory is in this beautifully written story by Isla Bright. 😊 But I have a problem with the tag line of this book, it is indeed delicious but I don’t think it’s dark by any means, at least not with my standard. 😁
I liked the “meet-cute” between Sebastian and Jasper. It’s cute, fluffy, funny and fun. I also liked what came after the meet-cute, the sexual tension and the forbidden romance brewing between the employer and employee. But I felt like it was too insta when they finally got together. You don’t confess your love to another person as soon as you guys kiss for the first time. 🤷♀️ Believe me, I’m all for insta-love and insta-lust but this is a bit too quick. But aside from that small fact, I mostly enjoyed the whole story. Also, cliffhanger alert! 😭 You will definitely need to read the next book in the series because this ends with a vague HFN and I’m being generous when I said it’s vague HFN. 😅 So far, the story intrigued me enough that I’m definitely going to read the next book in the series. I gotta know what happens. 😉
3.5 Don’t let me go because I just found you stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
4.5 stars!! 💕😍 Loved it!! Let me begin by confessing that despite peer pressure I have escaped the vampire genre..😳😱. I know...I am an aberration 🙄. I confess I never read the Twilight books either; Vampires just never appealed to me.... Until NOW.. 😍💕. Having never read any other book I cannot make any comparisons, but Sebastian Nod, our resident vampire MC is not what I was expecting. Yes, he's a ruthless billionaire businessman and is thousands of years old, but his vampire heart hides a sweet and vulnerable side. Jasper, a vegan chef who is running away from an abusive relationship proves to be just what Sebastian needs to shake his world. 💘. They also have an age-old connection of biblical proportions (Cain-Abel), but their story is interesting even without the history lesson. Sebastian, in his attempt to help Jasper find some employment while hiding from his former boyfriend, professes to be a vegan and hires him as his personal chef. 🤪Obviously, hilarity ensues since Sebastian does not have a human-like appetite (except for a particular human 😳💕😱), and Jasper is hell-bent on pleasing his employer with his creative delicacies. It's really fun to watch Sebastian trying to avoid Jasper despite finding him irresistible, while Jasper tries to get closer to Sebastian. Soon enough, Jasper finds out the truth about Sebastian's "eating disorders" 😉😱 and despite Sebastian's fears and past heartbreaks, they forge ahead in their relationship. But can the past actually stay in the past? How will Sebastian decide what is right? Will they get a happily ever after? Is such a thing even possible? 🤔😢 Without giving any spoilers away, I have to say that the ending left me Craving for more🤩 . For a first-time "vampire" reader, I confess I'm hooked 💘and looking forward to reading the rest of their story. 😍. Highly recommended to fans of the paranormal genre and even to newbies like me. 👍💕
Sebastian Nod - a 3000+ year old vampire. A direct descendant of Cain.
“I used to be an actual legend,” he grumbled as he wiped his lip with his thumb then licked it clean. “Now, I live on hot roadkill like a vulture.”
Darcy - a 75 year old vampire. And Sebastian’s friend and assistant.
“He adores you and I can do whatever I want because I’m me,”
Jasper Abel - a vegan chef
“No offense, but you’re an asshole,” he muttered and Sebastian’s head fell back as he laughed. “Do you know, there are plenty of people around here who’d love to say that to my face? But you’re the first person to have the nerve to do it,” he told Jasper. “Really? I’d imagine you’d hear that a lot,” he replied...
This is an interesting and mildly funny vampire romance. I liked all three characters and I can’t wait for the next book.
Now this is a gentle read and it has a slow gentle pace. The next book I understand will take a darker turn. But this takes its time to introduce the characters.
Sebastian inadvertently makes Jasper unemployed. But there’s an attraction between them and he can’t bear the thought of Jasper hurting. So Sebastian employs him as his personal chef. The main problem with this is Sebastian can’t eat anything. Food turns to ash on his tongue.
Darcy stole the show for me as the woman who says whatever she’s thinking.
So it’s an enjoyable and entertaining read. If I had to pick fault I’d say it was maybe a little too long. I did find myself skimming on a couple of occasions.
Overall book rating: 3.75 Audio Book: N/A Book Cover: 4.5
Oh the potential. I know you can’t see me but imagine me rubbing my hands together gleefully.
I absolutely have to give the author credit for there originality of our Vamp’s history. May I also add to that the way the little things throughout this book add to said originality?
I’m absolutely LOVING the little things Sebastian Nod brings to the ‘table’.
If you only read this for those little tidbits I’m curtain you won’t be disappointed.
Add his BFF Darcy to this mix and you get quite the laugh.
Inters fresh young vegan chef, Jasper. Fresh in not only his view of food stuff but also fresh out of an abusive relationship with his rich older lover who used him for his talents in the kitchen. (And presumably elsewhere) Jasper is a well traveled young man who is very optimistic for someone who’s been used and abused. He’s really a fresh breeze in the lives of Sebastian and Darcy.
Darcy takes great pleasure in tormenting her BFF with his immediate attraction to Jasper, but she also has a deeper drive about the joking. Sebastian tries to stay away from Jasper and his vegan offerings which leads to so much fun and creativity on Seb’s part to not have to swallow the food.
I loved the take on the apples and such when Sebastian’s curiosity takes over in the farmers market. Very unique once again by the author.
Now, for the unfortunate parts that I didn’t so much LOVE.
I’m not so much of a insta-love fan. I could look around it here but it still niggled in the background. And now that I know there is to be a second book I’m even more confused as to why the need to make the relationship move along the way it did was so important. There are lots of potential to make things happen a little less ‘forced’? (by lack of a better word)
I honestly can say that I did enjoy reading this and I am happy to have had the opportunity. I think maybe in the coming book we might get a little more substance . Or growth between the characters? I do hope there will be a little more depth because that would turn a good story into a great
this read a lot like it was written by a reasonably talented 16 year old on wattpad. it wasn't the worst thing i've ever read, but it was very obviously amateur and needed a lot of polishing.
did not quite make it for me - 2.5* rounded up because of the ending
I wanted to like this book more than I did. The three main characters were Sebastian (3000 year old vampire), Jasper (a vegan chef), and Darcy (a 75 year old vampire, and Sebastian's friend and housemate). I liked Sebastian and Darcy. The vampire details were interesting and different. I could have happily read more about the two of them. Unfortunately I did not like Jasper, nor did I like Sebastian with him. The whole thing felt forced and mostly I was just bored. However there were some funny parts and I might consider reading the follow up given the surprise to me ending.
I've been a bit remiss in posting my review as I ended up with a migraine so had to wait till I was feeling better. This is a debut author's story and at times this shines through, however, you can definitely see the great bones this story has and where it's both borrowed and moved away from regular vampire/human romances. I possibly would have edited certain sections more and maybe extended other sections but on the whole, this series looks promising and experience will mature up the writing style. The premise of a vegan chef and a vampire is a nice twist. 3.5/5 stars
I am so so glad I picked up this absolute gem by newcomer Isla Bright. Bright's take on the vampire mythos is as fresh and verdant as the vegan meals her absolutley engaging, lovely, brave, sympathetic hero Jasper cooks up. And her vampire protagonist Sebastian is so refreshing too, his heart-breaking humanity absolutlely radiating off the page. I think that might be my favourite part of Crave: Bright's multifaceted, fully-realized characterizations take a wonderful situational romance--I mean, how can you not be hooked by a vampire wooing a vegan chef from the get go?--and keep it grounded in a fantastic emotional depth. I giggled, cheered, raged, and ached while reading this book, and I'm eagerly awaiting (read: desperately need) Bright's next book in the series.
I used to love PN. Then, I walked away from it because all the stories were the same. At least to me. Crave is different! Yes, there is insta love between Sebastian and Jasper. That's ok though. I have never seen a more sweet, loving, and considerate vampire like Sebastian! The story on how he became a vampire was completely different! Jasper is a hoot! A happy puppy that I just want to snuggle lol. These two together make your hear melt. Or race with heat! Very sexy! Now I have to wait until the next book in the series😭
After reading Jasper and Sebastian's story, I'm hooked! I'll be "following" Isla Bright and awaiting their next book! This one was a yummy spin on a vampire/human love story and I really enjoyed it! Highly recommend!
This came across my kindle for a new to me. So I decided well let's give her a shot. I'm happy I did. The way the story was put together was more modern Seb and Jasper were perfect opposites It's a funny exciting and steamy. All the things I wanted. I can't wait to see what comes next, from Isla!!
Wow! I'm not a supernatural fan but Ms. Bright has changed my mind. This is not your typical vampire book. Sebastian wants love but is afraid and won't turn a human again. Jasper is abused and wants to help people through his food. Can they heal each other and find their HEA?
Excellent story, fascinating take on the Biblical curse of Cain, good character development, and super hot sexy times!! The only problem is that i have to WAIT for the next book!! I am not very patient, but i will hang in, and read the next installation the second it is released!!!!
I enjoyed the author's take on Vampires. It was a new twist and for me one I hadn't read before. Sebastian is a vampire that goes against his better judgement, not that he can help it, as Jasper is adorable, and hires him as his personal chef. Definitely a fun book that's easy to read. Looking forward to reading more from Isla Bright!
Really enjoyed the start to this series and definitely looking forward to more I love Jasper and Sebastian. If you are looking for a good vampire romance highly recommend. Can’t wait to see where this is all heading.
This book was so food with just enough laughter, darkness, and delicious naughtiness. Sebastian and Jasper are the perfect couple and Darcy is my new best friend in my head. I'm already craving the next book.🤤🤤
Very cute story hilarious scenes I love the interaction of the MC's but and however one start off because there are weird points that don't flow or make sense? ***Spoiler alert****
I really enjoyed taking a bite out of this book. A hilarious look into the vampire legend with lovable characters, laugh-out-loud set-ups and both teeth and heart. The only thing I hav to say is that I did not see any "happy for now" ending. who was happy at the end besides maybe Darcy? I was shattered.
The story was interesting and original, which is not easy to do with vampires. The issue I had was with the writing, it seemed to ramble on at tines and then jump to another subject out of nowhere. It could have used more careful editing.